Lost in her thoughts and dwindling emotions, she felt herself suddenly being yanked to her feet. Looking up, she came face to face with another stranger, his imposing midnight wings, along with their arched tips of black feathers, drawing her gaze. He stared at her with a wicked gleam in his golden eyes, contrasting his otherwise relaxed stance. She immediately recognised his kind. His demonic gaze held a condescending but knowing light, as the uncompromising planes of his face tensed along with his defined jaw.

She watched him closely, ignoring the rest of the room for the moment, but tensed as his fingers clenched her wrist, before he roughly spun her around to stand before him. Her feet scrambled to keep up, her heels a hindrance that she overcame, only from experience. His hands had both of hers held together behind her back, before she could so much as flinch.

She stood on edge as she felt his warm breath against her neck. "If you dare to move, I will slit your throat." His voice was cold, deep and unmoved, like that of a snow-capped mountain, as he bound her in scalding chains. She clenched her jaw as the heat seared her wrists, but she didn't move, not even turning as she spoke. "That may be a pleasant alternative, compared to what awaits me in Bandornan."

At her words, she felt rather than saw him move around to the side of her, until she caught sight of him from the corner of her eye. "That's true... but in this case, a quick death depends on the accuracy of the wielder of the blade."

This time she dared to look at him. "And how accurate are you?"

His head subtly lowered as he looked up at her through amused eyes. "The very best."

Not taking her eyes off of him, she admired his fiery gaze. Anything to distract her. "In that case, it seems that I have very little to worry about then."

In response, he only smirked, but there was a consuming heat to it.

Taking him at his word, she stared straight ahead, watching in amusement as Odile calmly enquired if Lord Saxon was well, while Sawyer passed him something to drink. Destan, however, gazed at Silver before kneeling down to pick something up from the floor. After he rose, he moved in her direction and the closer he came, the clearer the object in his hand appeared. Her jaw clenched when she finally recognised her leather cuff, the one that she always wore to cover the tattoo-like symbol, on the inside of her wrist.

He was almost before her when her demon guard, smoothly but sharply, intercepted him. Destan stopped, but did not turn away, instead he flashed a charming smile. "I simply wished to return this, to that deadly creature behind you, Tamesis." He held up her leather cuff with a light-hearted flourish, while indicating Silver.

Listening to Destan, she realised that he and her demon guard knew each other, and that the latter did not like Destan saying his name, as she hadn't missed the slight tightening of his shoulders.

While he stood with his back to her, she let her eyes rove over his lithe form in a lightly judgemental way. From the little that wasn't obscured by his overpowering wings, she could tell that he was alert, his average frame tensed in anticipation. His dark intensity swirled about him as though the night was his willing accomplice, which was only enhanced by the contrast of his obsidian hair brushing softly across his brow.

She was distracted from exanimating him any further, by the sound of Odile's voice. "Let him through Tamesis. I know the fae are notorious for their charm and for speaking in tongues, but you know, Destan."

As Tamesis moved aside, Silver caught a glimpse of the cold smirk that curved his lips, despite that, there was a touch of humour in his eyes, as though he was enjoying a private joke. Looking back, she raised an eyebrow, unsurprised when Destan lowered into a sweeping bow. It seemed that he enjoyed the role of showman, but she wondered how much he kept hidden, for everything that he pretended to reveal.

Upon reaching her, he went around behind her and carefully, almost tenderly secured the leather cuff back into place, minding her hot chains at the same time. Silver, narrowed her eyes when he returned, brushing past her. He hadn't hesitated, he knew exactly which wrist the cuff had adorned. Catching her look of suspicion, he leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice. "Just stay alive." The words were bearly discernible as he passed by. He continued on back over to the others, after sending another winning smile towards Tamesis, who slowly withdrew his sword with a predatory glint. She watched as he responded with a sadistic smile to match his threat, that carried just a small hint of amusement.

It was then that a feeling other than anger, bitterness and indifference arose. Tamesis seemed to have been touched by a dark sense of humour, much like herself. She had no time to think about it for any longer, though, as Lord Saxon appeared before her. She smiled at his dishevelled appearance, especially when he stood side by side with Sawyer. Both wore ripped and bloodied shirts, but she thought, 'well, at least now they matched.'

Raising her chin gently, Lord Saxon then let her go, as though knowing that she despised his touch, even though her expression gave nothing away. "I wish you well, Silver... and I hope to see you again. It seems that your bravery knows no bounds, and it was beautiful, as well as somewhat painful to witness... There are not many who would dare to stab me." With a satisfied smile, and those last parting words, he turned and left, Sawyer following along behind him.

When they had disappeared, she looked back and found Odile now standing before her, with her usual peaceful aura. "I'm sorry Silver, but after this incident, I have very little choice other than to send you to Bandornan, to await your trial and sentencing." She smiled in a comforting way. "Although, I have a feeling that Lord Saxon will be a less than willing witness against you. I will also mention your circumstances, and aid you in any way that I can. Try not to worry."

Silver bowed her head. "Thank you for your kind words." In her thoughts she added, 'it's a little late to help now, the time to help was when the alchemy cocktails sat before me'.

In reality, she felt nothing, the chill in her heart had spread into an icy hollowness, her life was now a barren landscape. Her memories in their vividness, a reminder of all that no longer existed for her.

She was only vaguely aware of Odile withdrawing an ornate golden key from her pale flowing gown. Silver watched as she drifted over to the nearest wall, where she placed her hand gently flush against its surface. The outline of an elaborate golden door appeared, a fitting match for the key. As Silver heard the mechanisms click, she was led forward, Tamesis by her side, his darkness and intensity almost comforting.

Golden light swallowed Odile as she stepped through, giving Silver just enough time to notice that Destan had also disappeared at some point, as he was now nowhere to be found. His behaviour had been odd, with his momentary look of fondness towards her, but it was especially odd when he had told her to stay alive. After all, what did it matter to him.

She felt empty, but she would stay alive for as long as she had too, to find those responsible. She knew that Lord Saxon knew far more than he had let on, and she knew that he would be waiting for her. Closing her eyes, she let the light from the doorway obliterate her thoughts as she passed through. The intense heat flaring up from her cuffs burnt through her, until she gladly fell into unconsciousness.

Thank you for reading <3
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